STORIES AS TOLD BY SWAMI RAMDAS -1

STORIES AS TOLD BY

SWAMI RAMDAS

  

ANANDASHRAM

KANHANGAD

FOREWORD

The book contains 108 stories. Many of the

stories were either heard or read by Ramdas on

various occasions. The reader will find in the book

also stories told by Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Ramana

Maharshi and other saints of India and abroad.

The collection is by no means exhaustive. But the

stories presented here will no doubt prove to be

a source of instruction and enlightenment to the

spiritual aspirant.

Ramdas

1.   MATAJI'S UNBOUNDED CHARITY

Mother Krishnabai's life is a life of total selfdedication.

Her vision is universal, her identity with all

beings is perfect as it is based on the realisation of the

Atman. She looks upon all beings and creatures as her

own expressions and embodiments. This is

exemplified in all the attitudes and acts of her daily

life. Here is a story about her. A very poor man living in a village near

Anandashram, unable to maintain his family, was in

great distress. He came to the Ashram and, enquiring

for Mataji, met her.

He prayed to her, "Mother! my wife, children and

myself are all starving. I am without employment and

so I have no means to earn my bread and there is no

other support for the family. Hence I have come to

you for help. Please save us."

Mataji reflected for a while and said, "Shall I give

you a milch cow with calf? You can sell the milk and,

from its proceeds, maintain your family. What do you

say?"

The poor man replied, "I agree with you and will

gladly receive the gift of a milch cow and calf. But the

plot in which my house stands, belonging to some

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other people, has no other building in it which can

accommodate the cow and calf."

Mataji suggested, "That matter can be easily

solved. I will get a small cow-shed built in your

compound by our workmen so that you can securely

house the cow in it."

"Well and good," said the poor man. "But I have

not the wherewithal to pay for grass and also oil cakes

for feeding the cow."

"That also can be arranged," rejoined Mataji. "We

have plenty of hay with us out of which I shall send

you three or four big bundles. I will also instruct our

provision supplier to supply you with the necessary

quantity of oil cakes."

In a week's time, the cow-shed was built. The cow

and the calf, bundles of hay and oil cakes were sent to

him. All went well for a few days. Then, the poor man

came to Mataji again and grumbled, "Mother, the cow

yields milk all right, but I find it hard to sell the milk.

Sometimes, there are no buyers and at other times

the buyers offer very low rates for the milk. From the

proceeds, I find it hard to make both ends meet."

"Why do you worry?" Mataji replied. "There is an

easy way out. We will purchase the milk. Ashram

needs anyway a good quantity of milk every day. So

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from tomorrow, bring all the milk that you get from

the cow. I will pay you reasonable rates."

The poor man was happy ever afterwards. This is

charity in excelsis.

2. HOW MATAJI TAMED A MODERN DURVASA

Sadhus, to whatever denomination, sect or creed

they belong, are welcome at Anandashram.

Sometimes, we would find scuffles and fights going on

amongst them in the Ashram Dharmashala. One

would say to the other, "You should not touch me.

Stand farther away! You belong to a lower sect. You

have no business to sit close to me. Why did you

touch my leaf? You have polluted the leaf on which I

was served my food," and so on and so forth.

Once, a Sadhu came to the Ashram and would

not eat food in the common dining hall. So he cooked

his food separately. He was given the necessary

provisions, such as rice, dal, ghee, wheat-flour and

vegetables. One day, he had taken a bucket from the

Ashram for storing water. He had, of course, his own

Lota which was used by him for drinking water and

other purposes. He also kept the bucket, nearly half

full, by his side. It was rather close to the plantain leaf

on which he had, as usual, served his food, prepared

by himself. He sat down for eating.

Just then, a woman worker of the Ashram went

there. She wanted the bucket, as it was the one used

by her for washing utensils. She was about to take the

vessel, and had hardly touched it, when the Sadhu

shouted, "How did you dare to touch my bucket? You

have polluted the whole place. I cannot take this

food."

He became wild and started cursing and shouting

at her. We could hear him in the Ashram. He was

jumping about with uncontrollable fury. The woman,

unable to stand all this, ran away from the place and

came to Mataji. In a moment, another person came

and reported to Mataji, "The Sadhu has collected all

the food he had cooked and served on the leaf and

thrown it away to dogs! He is still fretting and fuming.

Nobody dares to approach him."

The Sadhu was short and stout in stature and had

a ferocious look. He had a grizzly beard and matted

hair on his head. Mataji looked at his wild behaviour

from a distance and found he was burning with anger.

He looked like a modern Durvasa in action. She felt

something must be done to calm him down. She went

inside the kitchen store. There were in it some

watermelons. She cut them into nicely-shaped pieces

and got also some fine variety of plantains and two

tender coconuts. All these she placed on a plate and

asked another worker to take it to the Sadhu. She also

followed the worker to the place where the Sadhu

was.

When the Sadhu saw the plate with the juicy red

water-melon pieces and other fine fruits, and Mataji

coming along with them, his anger cooled down a bit.

Mataji said to him, "The woman worker committed a

mistake but she never intentionally did it. Will you just

take these fruits on the plate?" She handed him also a

big pitcher full of sweet warm milk. He now sat down

and began to eat and when nearly half the fruit and

milk was finished, he came back to normal.

Mataji is a tamer of lions. A smile appeared on

the Sadhu's face when the whole quantity of fruits

and milk went down. Now he was perfectly cheerful.

Mataji then asked him, "How do you feel?" he replied,

"Quite happy, mother!"At last, he went about telling

everybody that Mataji was supremely gracious." The

food I had prepared was nothing in comparison," he

said."What she gave me was veritable nectar. My

body was burning, but it has cooled down now. I am

most grateful to her."

3. DO YOUR GOOD ACTS NOW

Once a poor man approached King Yudhishtira,

who was also called Dharmaraja, who strictly followed

the path of virtue. He asked the king for some help.

Yudhishtira said, "Come tomorrow, I will give you

what you want."

Yudhishtira's brother Bhimasena overheard this

and at once ran to the place where a huge bell was

hanging, and which was rung only when there was any

great victory, or on certain great occasions.

Bhimasena straightaway rang the bell. It created great

commotion everywhere because the ringing of the

bell was sudden and people did not know of any

function or victory. They all came out to ascertain the

reason. Yudhishtira was also surprised. Report came

to him that Bhimasena had rung the bell. Bhimasena

was called and asked for an explanation.

He replied, "We have gained a great victory

today, victory over death for twenty-four hours.

Dharmaraja asked that man to come tomorrow,

saying that he would give him then what he wanted. It

means that till tomorrow Dharmaraja is not going to

die - which is indeed a triumph over death. This is a

great victory."

Yudhishtira was awakened. He called the poor

man back, gave him what he wanted and sent him

away without waiting for the next day.

4. SAINTS EVER FORGIVE

Samarth Ramdas was once going with his disciples

to meet Shivaji. On the way they rested under a big

tree. The disciples feeling hungry, entered the sugarcane

fields nearby and without the owner's

permission, cut some sugar-canes which they brought

to their Guru. Hearing about the trespass and not

knowing who the saint was, the landlord came there

and in a fit of anger, took hold of a sugarcane and

thrashed the Guru and his disciples, who took the

blows coolly and proceeded on their way. Reaching

Shivaji's palace, they did not mention this incident to

any one.

When Samarth Ramdas was given a bath by

Shivaji, he saw red stripes on the saint's back and

enquired of him about it. The saint brushed aside the

topic. But the royal disciple pursued his enquiry and

learnt the truth from others. He sent for the owner of

the sugarcane fields, who was soon brought before

Shivaji and Samarth Ramdas when they were sitting

together. On seeing the landlord, the saint asked the

king why he was ordered to come there. Shivaji

replied that the wrong-doer who inflicted injury on

the saint and his disciples must be punished.

Samarth Ramdas then said, "The owner of the

sugarcane field has done no wrong. He was quite right

in belabouring us as he did. We had no right to enter

his field and cut the canes without his permission as

we did. So he must not be punished; nay, as

compensation for his loss of sugar-cane, for the

trouble of coming here and the anxiety caused by the

fear of punishment, you must grant him a gift of five

villages." Thus he who expected heavy punishment for

beating the saint was not only forgiven but also given

a rich reward.

5. GOD'S NAME ALONE SAVES

There was once a Sadhaka who aspired after

God-realisation. He went to a Sadhu and asked him

what he should do for realising God. The Sadhu said

that he should repeat God's name and think of God

constantly. The young aspirant did not like this simple

advice. He thought poorly of the power of the Name.

He had the idea that one should learn Sanskrit and

master the Vedas and Shastras, before he could get

God-realisation. So he left this Sadhu and went to

another who was well-versed in the Vedas and

Shastras and requested him to teach him Sanskrit so

that he might gain proficiency in the same. The

teacher agreed, but added that the student should

also do some service, besides pursuing his studies. He

was given the work of tending the cows in the

Ashram. So the young friend took up the service of

the Ashram cows and whenever he had spare time, he

went to the teacher and took his lessons in Sanskrit.

Thus twelve years passed. He became a great Sanskrit

scholar and had good knowledge of the Vedas and

Shastras. But he did not realise God. So he asked his

teacher why he had not attained God even though he

had become learned in the Vedas and other

scriptures.

The teacher then said that mere scholarship and

learning did not lead to God-realisation. To realise

God, one must love Him intensely and ceaselessly

remember Him by taking His name. Now the young

aspirant realised his mistake in not listening to the

advice of the first Sadhu, who had asked him to take

to God's name twelve years ago. He regretted that he

had wasted many precious years in merely acquiring

learning without chanting God's name or cultivating

love and devotion for God.

6. SAINTS GIVE WHAT GOD CANNOT

In a village there was a devotee of Vishnu. Though

married for many years, he had not been blessed with

a child in spite of all the austerities performed by him

for the purpose. One day, sage Narada happened to

pass through the village. Meeting the sage, the

devotee enquired where he was going. Narada replied

he was going to Vaikuntha. Thereupon, the devotee

requested Narada to enquire of Lord Vishnu why He

had not yet blessed him with a child and when he

might expect to have that blessing. On reaching

Vaikuntha, Narada told Vishnu about the devotee's

grievance. The Lord replied that the devotee was not

destined to have a child.

Narada did not wish to communicate this

unpleasant news to the devotee. So, many years

passed before he again saw the devotee in the village.

When he entered the latter's house, he saw three

children playing in the court-yard and was surprised

to learn that they belonged to the devotee. Narada

was naturally curious to hear how the devotee got the

children and made enquiries of him.

The devotee replied that since he met Narada

last, he chanced to have the Darshan of a saint and

serve him. The saint, pleased with the service, asked

him what boon he wished to have. The devotee

begged to be blessed with a child. The saint blessed

saying that he would have not one but three children.

Hearing this, Narada went straight to Vaikuntha

and accused Lord Vishnu of uttering an untruth.

Narada said, "You told me some years ago that a

devotee about whom I mentioned to you was not

destined to have a child. Now I find that he has got

three children." Vishnu laughed and said, "That must

surely be the work of some saint, for saints alone can

change one's destiny."

7. GOD'S LOVE FOR HIS DEVOTEE

There was a sepoy in the service of a State. He

was put on duty as guard at night. One night when he

was as usual on duty as a sentry, he saw at a distance

devotees going in a procession singing God's name. At

this, the sepoy was overcome with devotional fervour.

He ran, giving up his duty, and joined the Kirtan party

and started singing God's name in their company. The

whole night was spent in Kirtan and the sepoy

returned to duty only in the morning. Soon after, he

was ordered to appear before his commanding officer

to answer the charge of absence from duty the

previous night. The sepoy explained what had

happened. Though the charge was a serious one, he

was let off with a warning.

The following night also he was on duty and again

the same Kirtan party was seen passing nearby singing

God's name. Though the sepoy had been warned the

previous day for his lapse, he could not resist joining

the Kirtan party again. He spent all night with the

party and returned to his post in the morning. After

reaching his place of work, he thought it would be

better for him to go and report himself to the

commanding officer about his absence from duty and

he did so. But the commanding officer could not

understand what the sepoy was saying. He said, "Why

do you say you were absent from duty? Thinking that

last night also you would absent yourself from duty

and join the street singers, I myself came at midnight

to the sentry post to check if you were there. And I

saw you there on duty. So where is the question of

your absence?"

At this the sepoy was stunned. He could guess

how God was so gracious to him as to stand sentry

assuming his form so as to save him from punishment.

This incident completely changed his vision and life.

He renounced everything and dedicated his life

entirely to God.

8. NARADA ENLIGHTENED

You must have heard of Sage Narada. He was a

great votary of God's name. He repeated the Name all

the twenty-four hours of the day and went about all

over the world proclaiming the greatness of the

Name. He became proud of his continuous chanting of

the Name. He saw people in the world taking the

Name only for a time, whereas he was taking the

Name all the day and night. Therefore, he considered

himself to be the greatest devotee of God. In the

course of his wanderings he went to Vaikuntha, the

abode of Lord Vishnu. Looking at Narada, Vishnu

came to know that Narada had become proud of his

devotion. Narada, with an air of self-importance,

asked Vishnu who His greatest devotee in the world

was.

Lord Vishnu asked Narada to go to a certain

village on the earth where, He said, lived a farmer

whom He considered as His greatest devotee. Narada

was surprised, "How could a poor farmer rank first

among the devotees of Vishnu?" However, he went to

the house of the farmer -devotee and was received by

him with great honour and hospitality. The devotee

served the sage with all love and reverence and

begged him to stay in his humble abode for a few

days. Narada stayed on and watched what the farmer

was doing.

The farmer's routine was to get up early in the

morning, take aloud God's name once, and then go to

attend to his work in the fields. In the evening, on

returning home after his day's work, he would

perform the usual household duties and before

retiring to bed, utter once again God's name. Narada

noticed this routine of the farmer for two or three

days and was utterly disappointed. He was wondering

how Lord Vishnu could take this farmer, who uttered

the name of God only twice a day, to be His greatest

devotee. He left the house and proceeded straight to

Vishnu and recounted to Him all that he had seen

when he was with the farmer-devotee. Narada then

asked Him how He could consider the farmer as the

foremost of His devotees.

"I will show you how he is My greatest devotee,"

said Vishnu and having got a cup filled with oil to the

brim, handed it over to Narada and told him to go

round Vaikuntha and return to Him without spilling a

drop of oil. Accordingly, Narada, taking the cup in his

hands, walked slowly and carefully, concentrating all

his mind upon the cup and after some time returned

to Vishnu without spilling even a drop of oil.

Vishnu, on seeing him back, questioned him,

"How many times did you remember Me during the

period of your circumambulation of Vaikuntha with

the cup of oil in your hands?" Narada was surprised at

this question and said, "Lord, are You joking with me?

How is it possible to remember anything else when

carrying out a task of such a difficult nature? My

whole mind was centered on the cup so that I might

not spill any drop."

At this reply, Vishnu laughed and remarked, "Look

at the case of the farmer. He engages himself in

hundreds of activities, carrying heavy responsibilities

of his worldly life. Nevertheless, he does not fail to

remember Me at least twice a day, whereas in a short

period, when you were engaged in carrying the cup of

oil you utterly forgot Me."

This reply from Vishnu humbled Narada. He

realised that Vishnu was right and that he had made a

mistake in thinking that he was superior to all other

devotees.

This illustration goes to show that the best way is

to offer prayers to God, take His name, even though

for a short time daily, and then be engaged in your

work and perform it honestly and conscientiously,

having God-remembrance stamped on your heart.

9. THE DEVIL AND THE POLE

A man wanted to propitiate a devil to make it do

whatever he wanted. So he did the necessary Sadhana

to that end and, by the power of some Mantra, he

was able to summon the devil before him. The devil

said that it would obey his commands, but on one

condition, "If at any time you do not give me work, I

will devour you. You must keep me engaged all the

twenty-four hours." The man agreed. He immediately

gave an order to build a palace for him. To his great

wonder, the palace was built in no time. Then he gave

an order for a long road to be made ready. That work

was also executed in a short time. Next minute, the

devil was standing before him, asking for more work.

He had no time even to think. He gave an order to

build a big town. It was ready within ten minutes.

Now the man was perplexed and afraid. He did not

know what new orders to give. If he did not give any

work, he would be eaten by the devil. He hastened to

a holy man and asked for advice. The holy man

suggested that he might get a bamboo pole, plant it in

the ground and ask the devil to climb it up and down

until further orders. He did so and the devil was

bound to carry out the order. This meant no rest

whatever for the devil. Finally it got disgusted and ran

away.

Now, in your case, Ram Mantra is the pole and

the ego is the devil that teases you. Ask him to go up

and down the pole repeatedly and he will soon get

tired and run away. Ram Nam is given to you in order

to subdue the ego. The ego must be made to

disappear by its own endeavour.

10. SATSANG AND PENANCE

There is a story about sage Viswamitra. Once

there was a discussion between him and sage

Vasishta, the Guru of Sri Rama. The discussion was -

which was greater, the power of austerities or the

power of the company of saints. Vasishta said that the

power of the company of the saints was greater.

Viswamitra disagreed with him. The matter was

brought before Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu directed

them to Mahasesha, the big serpent on whose head

this earthly globe is supposed to be resting.

The sages went to Mahasesha and asked him

which was greater - company of saints or austerities.

Mahasesha said, "I have this heavy burden of the

earth on my head. If you will just lift it for a moment

from my head I will be free to give you the answer."

At this, Vasishta and Viswamitra looked at each other

as to how best this problem could be solved.

Viswamitra suggested that he would apply the power

he had gained by his austerities and lift the earth. He

put forth all the strength he had gained by his

austerities but the earth did not move. Then Vasishta

came forward and applying the strength which he had

gained by one minute's company of saints, lifted the

earth. Now Mahasesha said, "Your question has been

answered."

11. SEE YOURSELF IN ALL BEINGS

In order to have some fun, a man procured

innumerable small mirrors and had them fixed up in

his room on the walls, in the ceiling and on the floor.

There was not an inch of space where there was no

mirror. After closing the door, he switched on the light

and stood in the middle of the room. He saw himself

reflected in myriad forms in the mirrors - above,

below and on all sides. He enjoyed the sight very

much because he loved to see himself everywhere.

After having had this fun for a while, he left the room,

but forgot to close the door. His dog entered the

room a few minutes later and it saw its own

reflections in the mirrors. The dog started barking at

its own reflections and jumped and fought with them,

as it thought those were dogs different from itself. It

fought till it got completely exhausted and fell down

dead.

So, man in his ignorance, when fighting with his

fellow beings, thinks they are separate from him.

When he realises that all beings are the images of his

own Self, instead of quarrelling with and disliking

them, he will love them all equally.

12. LOVE YOUR ENEMY

This happened during the Great Indian Mutiny

in the year 1857. Indian soldiers revolted against the

British Government and the Government took stern

steps to put them down. The result was, people

deserted the villages in panic. At one place, when they

were running away, they saw a Sadhu coming towards

the village which they had abandoned. The villagers

warned the Sadhu that the British soldiers would be

there shortly and kill him mercilessly. The Sadhu did

not pay heed to the advice, but went on. When he

was nearing the village, a British soldier came towards

him and stabbed him. The Sadhu was fatally injured.

He fell down and was about to die. The soldier was

looking at him to make sure if he was dead. Before

breathing his last, the Sadhu looked at the soldier, his

murderer and smilingly said, "You also are He."

Even in the agony of death, the Sadhu saw God in

him. What a glorious vision was his! It is indeed

wonderful. Such is the vision of one who has realised

God.

13. THE MEANING OF PILGRIMAGE

There was a great saint named Tukaram. He was

a votary of God's name. Once some people from his

village decided to go on a long pilgrimage and they

requested Tukaram also to follow them. Tukaram

expressed his inability, but requested them to be kind

enough to take with them to all the places they visited

a bitter gourd that he would give them. He wished

that the bitter gourd should be given a dip in all the

holy waters where they took bath and also have it

taken to all the temples they visited. Not caring to

know the significance of what the saint said, the

villagers took the bitter gourd from him and carried it

all along the pilgrimage, obeying the instructions of

the saint in regard to dipping it in the holy waters and

taking it to the temples.

In a few months, the party returned from the

pilgrimage and handed the bitter gourd back to

Tukaram. Tukaram was happy and invited all the

members of the party to a feast the next day to

celebrate the successful completion of their

pilgrimage. Tukaram made a special dish out of the

bitter gourd which he had sent on the pilgrimage.

They were served with the various preparations and

they started eating. When they tasted the gourd dish,

they all remarked it was bitter and asked Tukaram

why he had served it. Tukaram, as if greatly surprised,

asked them how it could be bitter when it was made

out of the gourd that had gone on a pilgrimage. It was

no doubt bitter when he handed it over to them

before the pilgrimage, but he wondered why it had

not lost its bitterness in spite of the pilgrimage. This

was a great lesson to all the pilgrims.

There are so many who go on pilgrimage and

return as bitter as before. But, if you go on pilgrimage

as urged by God within, and continuously remember

Him all through the pilgrimage and see only purity and

goodness of God everywhere, you will achieve purity.

Such a pilgrimage will surely be beneficial to you.

14. IS THERE AN EGO?

Once a man invited his son-in-law, who was

living far way, to stay with him during the holidays.

When the letter was received by the son-in-law, there

was an adventurer in his place, who happened to

know the contents of the letter. This man thought it

was a nice occasion for him to make the best of.

When the son-in- law got into the train, he also

boarded the same train, and at the destination both

got down. The son-in-law was greeted by his brotherin-

law who had come to the railway station in a car to

receive him. When the son-in-law got into the car, the

adventurer also got into it. The son-in-law thought

that this man might be some friend of his father-inlaw's

family. His brother-in-law thought that he might

be a friend of the son-in-law. They all reached the

father-in-law's house and the guests were received

with great honour and given nice rooms to stay, and

they were all quite happy.

At the time of meals, this impostor would go and

sit first and before the others he would begin eating.

Sometimes he even went into the kitchen to demand

certain kinds of food he liked. Though this was noticed

by the father-in-law, he did not tell him anything lest

he should wound the feelings of one who, he thought,

must be an intimate friend of his son-in-law. The

impostor was also freely going to the son-in-law's

room and using his shirts, ties, shoes and so on,

without asking him. Though the son-in-law got

annoyed at this, he did not complain as he took him to

be a member or friend of his father-in-law's

household. Thus from both sides this impostor was

allowed full liberty and was having a very fine time.

Things went on like this, but a time came when

both the father-in-law and the son-in-law were fed up

with the fellow's behaviour. They did not know how to

deal with him as each thought he was the friend of

the other. At last, when the father-in-law could not

tolerate him any longer, he decided to go to his sonin-

law and ask why he had brought such a man with

him. At the very moment, the son-in-law also wanted

to ask the father-in-law, "What a pest you have here!

Where from has he come? He does not seem to be a

member of the family. He comes to my room and uses

freely whatever I have in my room. All my clean shirts

have been put on and soiled by him." When the

father-in-law and son-in-law met together in a room

to discuss privately about this impostor, the impostor

found out that they were making enquiries about him,

and suddenly disappeared by the back door.

So in the case of the ego; a mere enquiry makes

this impostor also disappear. In fact, you will discover

there was no impostor - ego at all. Ego is only an

illusion caused by your ignorance. The ignorance is

36

removed by Atma-vichar or self-enquiry. But you do

not want to make the enquiry. You are so much

obsessed by him that you allow him to make you

dance to his tune. He brings nothing but misery for

you.

15. IN THE END WE LEAVE EMPTY-HANDED

Happiness does not consist in storing or

accumulating wealth. You bring nothing with you

when you come into the world and you take nothing

with you when you leave it. The wealth, name, fame

and glory you earn - all these you have to leave

behind. There is a story about Alexander the Great. He

amassed vast wealth by waging wars with other

countries and looting the people. He was a powerful

king, greedy, selfish and cruel. In his time, he was

considered to be the richest man on earth. When

death was nearing, he reflected within himself, "I have

committed so many evil deeds to amass all this

wealth. Now death's call has come. When departing, I

have to leave all the riches behind and go alone

without taking a single coin." He told his courtiers and

followers, "When my body is taken to the grave, you

have to see that my two hands are stretched out, with

palms open, and fully exposed, while the rest of the

body is covered, so that my subjects may see that I, a

great king, the richest man in the world, went on my

final journey, quite empty-handed, as I could not take

anything with me." Such is the fate of all those who

cling to material objects.

16. THE YOGI HUMBLED

When you serve your fellowmen, God is

pleased and acknowledges you as His child. There was

a Sannyasi who was practising meditation, sitting

beneath a tree. One day, while meditating, a bird's

excreta fell on his head from above. Thus disturbed,

the Sannyasi became angry, looked up and saw the

bird sitting on the branch of the tree. The Sannyasi

gazed at the bird, his eyes full of anger. At once, he

found to his surprise that the bird was burnt to ashes.

His astonishment soon gave place to an

overweening pride at his own Yogic powers. As usual,

that day he went to the village nearby for alms. He

stopped in front of a house and asked for alms. When

he saw nobody coming out of the house to attend to

his needs even though he had waited for about five

minutes, he called out again in an angry tone. He

considered himself as a great Yogi and was puffed up

with conceit.

The mistress of the house was busy attending on

her husband who was ill, and could not leave him

suddenly. Hearing the angry words of the Sannyasi,

she warned him from inside the house, "I am not a

bird to be burnt to ashes by your curse." The Sannyasi

was taken aback and wondered how this woman

could know about the incident of the bird. Because of

her loyalty, service and devotion to her husband, she

had acquired supernatural powers. She directed the

Sannyasi, if he wanted to learn more, to the village

butcher. Finding the latter in his shop, he approached

him. The moment the butcher saw him, he asked the

Sannyasi if he had not been sent by such and such a

woman. The Sannyasi's surprise was now still greater.

He asked the butcher how he could know things in the

way he did. The butcher replied, "I am serving my old

parents with all love and devotion. They are to me the

very images of God. I also carry on my business

honestly and for their sake."

The Sannyasi's eyes were really opened now and

light came to him. He realised that one could get

supernatural powers not merely by going to the forest

and meditating on God, but also by doing one's duty

and service of humanity, looking upon all beings as

manifestations of God. Perhaps, living in the world

and serving humanity with love is a better way.

Ramdas can definitely say that such service, done with

absolute unselfishness, can by itself lead to Godrealization.

17. DEATH SNATCHES AWAY EVERYONE

Lord Buddha, the great teacher, was going from

place to place preaching Dharma - the path of

liberation - to the people. He happened to go to a

village where he found a woman who had lost her

only son and was sunk in deep grief. She was going

round the village asking everyone to do something to

bring back her son's life. All of them said that as her

son was dead, there was no chance of recalling him to

life any more. But she would not believe it. A man

advised her that she had better go to Buddha who

was on a visit to the village at that time.

The woman went to Buddha and told him that

her only son had passed away and that she was very

much grieved over the loss and requested him to

restore her son to life. Buddha replied that he would

revive her son, provided she could bring for him a

handful of sesamum seeds from a house in which no

death had occurred. She agreed and went about from

house to house asking for a handful of sesamum

seeds. When the people were about to give her what

she wanted, she told them that the condition was that

nobody should have died in the house. They all said

death had occurred in their houses and the dead were

more than the living, with the result that nowhere

41

could she get the seeds as required by Buddha. Now

the truth dawned upon her that death was common

in the world and that those who were born had to die

one day or the other. She found consolation, and

giving up her grief, came to Buddha and begged him

to teach her Dharma - the way to Nirvana.

. . . .

42

18. TRANSCEND THE GUNAS

A traveller, passing through a forest late in the

evening, was captured by three robbers. All the three

attacked him together. One bound him with a rope

and another took a knife to kill him. At this the third

pleaded with his comrades not to kill the traveller. He

prevailed over his comrades to set him free. On

coming to know that he was to go to a nearby village,

he escorted him up to the outskirts of the village and

asked him to go further by himself. He regretted his

inability to accompany him, saying that he could not

go to the village as he would be arrested by the

police, being a robber himself. So the robber

returned.

Now let us see who these robbers were. They

were the three qualities of nature which caused the

soul's bondage and ignorance - Sattwa, Rajas and

Tamas. Rajas tried to bind the soul to the desires of

the flesh. Tamas sought to destroy the soul by

overcoming it with sleep and torpor. The role of

Sattwa was to liberate it from the clutches of Rajas

and Tamas. Though Sattwa took him up to the

boundary beyond which was the realm of the Atman,

it could not accompany him there. Even Sattwa Guna

had no entry into this realm. All the three qualities

must be transcended before you can enter into the

43

infinity of divine existence in which you lose yourself.

He who goes there never returns to tell the tale of his

experiences because there he becomes one with the

eternal reality - God.

. . . .

44

19. TRANSFORMATION

Valmiki was a robber. Once sage Narada was

passing through the place where Valmiki lived. The

robber fell upon the sage and wanted to wrest from

him the musical instrument he was having with him.

The saint told the robber what a great sin he was

committing by robbery. The robber said, "I am doing it

only to feed my family. What I earn this way is not for

me alone. I have my wife and children."

The saint said, "Will you go and ask your wife and

children if they would share the sin you are

committing?" The robber agreed, went to his house

and told his wife and children, "A saint who is passing

this way, has asked me to enquire if you are prepared

to share the sins of my robbery, which I commit only

to feed you all." They replied, "We cannot share your

sins. How you get the money for our maintenance is

not our concern."

The robber came back to the saint, prostrated

before him and said, "I do not want to commit sins

any more." Then the saint asked him to chant the

name "Rama." The robber could not repeat the Name

properly. He was repeating it in the opposite way as

"Mara, Mara." He gave up his sinful life, went into

solitude and devoted all the time to repetition of the

Name. His austerities were so severe that he sat in

one place for many years with the result that his body

was covered by ant-hills. He had faith in the words of

the Master who said, "If you repeat this Name, you

will be saved." So he became a great saint.

20. GOPI'S LOVE

Many people are mistaken in their belief that

the l love between Krishna and the Gopis was of an

ordinary nature on the physical level. This was not so.

Their love was on the higher spiritual level. When the

Gopis merely thought of Him, they were lost in Him

and were raised to such a state of ecstasy that, for the

time being, they forgot their bodies and their

surroundings. All worldly inclinations, desires and

thoughts were drowned in that ecstasy. The physical

pains and attachments to the nearest kith and kin

were all obliterated.

Once it so happened that a Gopi asked her

daughter-in-law to light the lamp in the house, getting

fire from a neighbouring house. In those days, there

were no electric lights or even match-boxes. Fire was

made by striking flint or rubbing two pieces of wood

against each other. The daughter-in-law went with a

cotton wick soaked in oil to light it from the lamp at

the neighbour's house. She placed the wick on the fire

when, just at that moment, somebody said, "Krishna

is at the door." Her eyes turned towards the door and

she beheld Krishna standing there. She was so struck

by the sight of Krishna that she stood gazing at Him,

oblivious of time and the fact that her hand was

holding the wick over the fire. The wick having taken

fire was burning. The flame was licking her fingers, but

she was not aware of it. She did not feel the pain, for

she was unconscious of her body. The mother-in-law,

finding after a long wait that her daughter-in-law did

not come, went to see what the matter was. She saw

her looking at Krishna, entranced and enchanted by

His presence, although her fingers were burning.

That was the love of Gopis for Krishna, their

Adored One. Their love was of the purest and the

holiest type. Devotees reach this climax of love when

they are utterly absorbed in God - their heart's

Beloved.

21. GOD'S WILL BE DONE

In a town in India there lived a humble weaver. He

had no family and was living alone. He had a loom on

which he used to weave cloth daily. He sold the cloth

in the market, and whatever profit was derived from

the sale was enough for his daily maintenance. As he

had no house to live in, he had his loom installed

under a huge tree. After his work for the day was

over, he slept near the loom under the tree. When the

cloth was ready for sale, he would go to the market

and tell everybody how much he paid for the yarn,

how much other sundry expenses came to, how much

profit he had added, and at what price he would sell

the cloth. People knew that he was a simple and

honest man and a great devotee of God. They

believed his word and at once, purchased the cloth for

the price quoted by him. Out of the money thus

realised, he would purchase some yarn and other

necessary things, and the balance would go for his

simple food which satisfied his hunger. He was thus

carrying on his simple life.

Just opposite to the place where he had his loom,

there was the house of a rich man. One night, a very

dark night, this weaver had his meal as usual, and

slept soundly under the tree. Two thieves entered the

rich man's house, broke open the safe and took many

valuable things, clothes and jewellery - which they

bundled up and brought out with great difficulty to

the place where the weaver slept. The question arose

between them as to who should carry the bundle.

They could not divide the stolen property between

themselves in that darkness. They woke up the

weaver and asked him to carry the bundle for them.

The weaver unquestioningly took the bundle on his

head, as he was always ready to help others in their

need. He did not know that they were thieves, nor did

he care to know. So the two men made the weaver

walk in front, themselves following.

Meanwhile the owner of the house, from which

the things were stolen, came to know of the robbery

and informed the police, who, at once, set out in

search of the thieves. The weaver with the big bundle

and the two men behind him on the road were

confronted by a policeman. As soon as the thieves

saw the police, they took to their heels. The weaver

with the bundle was caught by the policeman. He

examined the bundle and found the stolen goods

inside it. He also verified the goods from the rich man

whose house was broken into by the thieves. The

weaver was taken to the police station and kept under

custody. Next morning the weaver was taken before

the magistrate on a charge of theft. The news spread

all over the town that the weaver was arrested on a

charge of theft. People, who knew that he was a

humble devotee of God, were surprised when they

heard the news, and some of them came to the court

to watch the proceedings of the case. The trial

started. There was no lawyer to represent the weaver.

The magistrate directly questioned the weaver as to

what happened the previous night. The weaver then

said, "Last night, by the will of God, after my work and

meal were over, I was sleeping under my tree as

usual. At dead of night, by the will of God, two

persons came and woke me up. By the will of God,

they placed a big bundle on my head, and by the will

of God they asked me to go with them. After walking

a short distance, by the will of God, we saw a

policeman coming in front of us. By the will of God,

the two men who were close at my heels, ran away.

By the will of God, the policeman caught me, and by

the will of God, he took me into custody. By the will of

God, I slept well inside the prison. In the morning, by

the will of God, I was brought here before you, and by

the will of God, you are putting questions to me."

Hearing the story of the innocent man, the

magistrate laughed. He could realise that the weaver

was not the real thief. So he was acquitted. The

weaver came out, and when his friends asked him

what happened, he said, "By the will of God, I am

released." He saw only God's will from beginning to

end. He never felt disturbed in any way.

Such submission to the divine will is the way to be

blessed with peace and happiness in all moments of

life.

22. WHAT IS SAMADHI?

Once there was a talk between Shiva and

Parvati. Shiva is one of the Hindu Trinity, who is

always in a state of Samadhi. His place is often in the

cremation ground. He used to freely roam about,

never feeling separate from the universe. He would

leave Parvati in Kailas, while on his itinerary. Parvati

asked Shiva to teach her to meditate and enter

samadhi so that she could always remain in that state

without at any time feeling the separation. Shiva

asked her to sit down in Asana, close her eyes and

turn her gaze within and meditate. Then the following

dialogue took place:

Shiva : What do you see now?

Parvati : I see your form before my mental vision.

Shiva : Go beyond that form. What do you see

now?

Parvati : I see a brilliant light.

Shiva : Still go beyond the light; what next?

Parvati : I hear the sound `Om.'

Shiva: Transcend the sound. What is your

experience now?

To this last question, there was no answer.

Parvati had become one with the Cosmic Self! There

was now no subject and object, no seer and seen, no

hearer or heard, for her. All had dissolved into one

Reality, one Existence. There was only one changeless,

nameless, formless, non-dual Brahman. Some time

later, when Parvati was gradually coming back to

body-consciousness, she was heard uttering softly "I

am Brahman!"

This story of Shiva and Parvathi may or may not

be true but its value consists in teaching, by way of

illustration, the process of meditation and ultimate

realisation.

23. WORLDLY LOVE IS FALSE

There was a saint living near a village. A Bhakta

was going to him daily. He used to tell the saint that

he was very much loved by his parents and more so

by his wife. He was speaking about this to the saint

everyday. So the saint one day wanted to show him

the reality about his relatives’ love. He asked the

Bhakta to go home and pretend that he was suffering

from a serious stomach-ache. He also gave him a pill

and asked him to swallow it. The effect of the pill was

that he who took it would apparently be dead even

though he was fully awake and aware within.

The Bhakta agreed, went home, pretended that

he had a serious stomach-ache, took the pill and lay

down like a dead man. All his relatives including his

parents, wife and children, were weeping over his

death. In due course, the saint came to the house and

enquired what the matter was. They explained to him

everything and requested him to bring the dead one

back to life. The saint said, "Yes, I can bring him back

to life, if any one of you will give your life for his in

exchange."

Addressing the mother of the Bhakta, he said,

"You love your son so much. Why don't you give up

your life for his sake? You are already old and you

won't live long." At this the mother stopped weeping

and said, "How can I give up my life for the sake of

one son? My younger sons will be sorry if I die. So I

cannot do what you say." Then he suggested the same

to the father who also similarly expressed his

unwillingness.

The saint then asked the Bhakta's wife, "Can you

at least not give your life for your dear husband?

What is the use of living without him, as a widow?" To

this she replied, "If I am destined to become a widow,

who can help it? My parents would be shocked to

hear about my death. Moreover, I have to look after

my children - so I cannot give up my life." Thereafter,

all his children were asked in turn and only negative

replies came from them.

The Bhakta who heard all the talk jumped up

from the bed and told the saint, "I thought these

people really loved me. Now you have revealed to me

the truth. I am not going to remain with these people

any longer. Let me follow you." That is the sort of love

relatives in the world bear for one another.

24. GRACE FOR ALL ALIKE

A priest was preaching a sermon in the church.

Hundreds of people formed the congregation in which

there were some diseased, poor and crippled persons.

The priest told the people that God does not make

any difference between the rich and the poor, the

diseased and the healthy, the able-bodied and the

crippled. His grace pours on all alike, whatever their

external conditions. In the course of the sermon, the

priest's eye lighted upon a broken candle lying on the

floor. He got down from the pulpit, took the candle,

and holding it before the congregation, lit it with a

match and it gave light. The candle, though crushed

and crumpled, burnt bright by the touch of the flame.

The match did not deny its fire to the candle because

it was broken, and the candle gave full light in spite of

its broken condition. This example struck Ramdas as

unique. Really, God is all compassion and mercy. He

pours His grace on any person who opens his heart to

receive it.

25. PAY THE FULL PRICE

There was once a merchant who had a pearl

necklace for sale. A customer came and asked him

what the price of the necklace was. The merchant said

that the price was one thousand rupees. The buyer

started haggling. He demanded the ornament for

seven hundred and fifty rupees. The merchant refused

to sell it for less than one thousand rupees. But the

customer wanted it for 900, 960, 975 and lastly 999

rupees. The merchant did not part with it for anything

less than one thousand rupees. "I cannot give you the

necklace without payment of its full price," he said.

The customer, in order to have the necklace, had to

pay the full price for it.

So also, God demands of you the full price before

He can be yours. Verily, God is priceless. None can get

Him without paying the full price, that is, your entire

being in all its aspects. In fact, dedication of one life is

nothing, compared to the absolute freedom, peace

and joy you get from Him. Even millions of lives

offered to Him are only meagre recompense for the

unimaginably precious and magnificent return you

get.

26. GOD IS FOR THE HUMBLE

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was a

humble devotee of Mother Kali. He was childlike in all

his talks, actions and ways of life. Once Keshab

Chandra Sen went to see him. He had heard about the

fame of Sri Ramakrishna. In the course of his talk,

Keshab Chandra Sen said he had recently enacted a

religious drama in which he took the chief part. Sri

Ramakrishna quietly listened. A disciple of Keshab

Chandra Sen said that Keshab played his part very well

and everybody applauded him. They were planning to

enact another drama. Keshab Chandra Sen jokingly

asked Sri Ramakrishna if he would like to take part in

it and if so in what role. Without a moment's

hesitation, Sri Ramakrishna replied, "I shall take the

part of the dust of your feet."

What was the result of his reply? Sudden stillness

and silence. By humbling themselves, saints humble

others. When we reduce ourselves to the dust, we

realise the glory of the Spirit within.

27. INVITE GOD

There was a poor man in a country. He was very

anxious that his king should visit him one day. But his

condition was so poor that he could not make

necessary arrangements to receive the royal guest.

However, he expressed his wish to the king who at

once agreed to visit him. The king knew that the man

lived in a very small cottage. So he sent in advance

everything that was necessary for his reception at the

cottage. Royal messengers went with all the things

and asked the man to make use of them and also

cleaned the place, spread the carpet, arranged the

furniture, made the necessary decoration and brought

flowers, garlands, etc. When everything was ready,

the king paid his visit. The man's wish was fulfilled.

So also, if we invite God to take His seat in us, He

will do everything necessary. He will Himself purify

our hearts and take His seat there. So the only thing

we have to do is to pray to Him to come to us.

Nothing more. He will see to everything else. If your

heart is sincere, you will feel the need for His coming

and He will surely come to you. If your life is

disorderly, He will see that it is set right and when He

comes to you once, your life becomes blessed.

 

Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued) 

(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of H H Swami Ramadas ji  for the collection)